LeTTeR. FR.OM LONDON \ \ \ , -' $ \ ' ') \ ::>-' "...), x \ \t :1- ) , I ' 01 '". ." '" \. t ;; ' 1 ''i/ JANUARY 24 (BY CABLE) P RO BABL )7 the happiest people in this town last Sunday night, when the Germans paid their return visit to revenge the bombing of Berlin, were the ack-ack boys, who had been moping beside their new guns for months like kids with a slingshot and no alley cats in sight. That Sunday it was obvious that they were having the time of their lives. Lots of other less military Londoners merely had the fright of their lives, for the sound effects' of the new barrage were something spe- cial and even old-timers thought that a really big blitz was on until they realized that most of the bangs were from shells go- ing up instead of from bombs coming down. That the former can be as lethal as the latter was proved by the high number of shrapnel casualties, presum- ably among people who hadn't been able to resist stargazing at the weird and wonderful constellations flowering in the heavens. Next morning Londoners were slip- ping back easily into the old 1941, vo- cabulary. Earnest conversations in buses and on street corners were filled with expressions like "So I says to our war- den," and people carrying on these con- versations appeared not uncheerful, as if they had just had a dreaded session with the dentist which had proved to be not so bad after all. Those who view the raid as a costly tit-for-tat affair which probably won't be attempted again are offset by those who think it was in the nature of a tryout for really heavy at- tacks in the future. The immediate minor reactions included a slight fl urry of can- cellations of reservations at hotels and clubs. There was also an increase the following evening in the number of peo- ple seeking shelter in the tubes, and soon after dark many prudent early arrivals, who didn't fancy being caught out in another stupendous barrage, were be- ginning to settle their bedding and bun- dles on the steel bunks underground. T ONDONERS have not been so preoc- L cupied with this bit of local shoot- ing that they forgot to be jubilant over the relief of Leningrad and the oth- er magnifi cen t Russian successes. The Eighth Army's advance has also natural- ly been celebrated, though exuberance has been slightly checked by a few warn- ing dispatches pointing out that the toughest part of the North African job is yet to come. On the whole, however, people seem to feel a lot happier about the military outlook there than they do about the political setup. The hoist- ing of yet another collaborationist in- to o ce has apparently made the Lon- don Fighting French fighting mad. and has certainly made plenty of Britons be- wildered and disturbed. Those who had heaved a sigh of relief over Darlan's exit not unnatural- ly feel that Peyrouton is a mighty queer sort of cement to choose for the delicate business of joining the dis- senting French factions. So far as can be judged, there's far less criticism than sympathy for Eisenhower, who is considered a plain soldier fallen among wily politicos. The aIle ged snip- ing at him in the press doesn't amount to as much as some American reports would have you believe. \\That British press and public comment seems to boil down to is dislike of a situation which looks un- happily like a natural for Doctor Goeb- bels' department and hope that action will soon be taken by Washington and London to clear up some of its more dangerously confused aspects. A CONSIDERABLE local to-do has been raging meanwhile over the question of opening theatres on Sunday, which has apparently split the British theatrical profession from top to bot- tom. There have been resignations from Equity, heated words from ladies and gentlemen of the stage at an open meeting which sometimes looked as if it were about to turn into a free-for-all, nd fuming letters to the Times signed by an assortment of names which could easily make up the cast of an all-star production. Those who want the an- cient ruling against Sunday shows re- voked argue that servicemen and wom- en, often far from home and friends, are given the choice of a Sunday-after- noon movie or a mooch around strange streets while the other theatres' civiliz- ing doors remain inhospitably closed. An equally passionate faction clings to the thought that Sunday is the one day on which actors can shed the buskin and don the domestic carpet slipper. 1 AST Sunday night's raid by the Nazis L coincided with an ambitious effort by the theatre's younger competitor, the radio, when the B.B.C. broadcast 31 , 4 .. . ,.,, \J t- i' .: ;' ' /::::::")/':'.: / :}{:. : j '::',. :,. ...:. . :: "":0' .'.. .. ,.,..:::::.c , ---"'<=',;, !, ... :;: "':, -) ...;-.;,.:.;.::. 4 questions & answers for Out - of - T owners WHERE IS the St. Regis? 5th Ave- nue & 55th-in the heart of Man- hattan's mid-town. Just over the threshold from shops, theatres, galleries, the Park, Radio City. . . with the business district comfort- ably convenient. WHA T'S IT LIKE2 Come see! Friends say the St. Regis provides them with many advantages of a fine home-none of the worries. (No servant problem, and a de- pendable heating system.) AND THE ROOMS? Mostly huge . . . with exquisite furnishings. The comfortable beds and fine linens are conducive to good sleep . . . and when you wake up, just press the bedside button. (It brings the Breakfast Man.) LIKE HOME? No. The St. Regis provides, rather, a delightful change from home-for a day, a month or longer. You will take up the New Year's challenge with a new life to your spirit! TH5tJ{egis FIFTH AVENUE AT 55th STREET. NEW YORK Booklet on Request